Research and Engagement
With more than 10 core faculty and 32 affiliate faculty across the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities at UC, The School of Environment and Sustainability (SEaS) is a vibrant community of faculty, students, staff, and partners working together. As a hands-on major, students have opportunities to work in labs, on campus and off, as well as in the field, either at the UC Field Center or with any number of community partners across different research and engagement projects.
Research Areas
Our community fosters cutting edge research and partnerships across the areas of environmental studies and sustainability. As a transdisciplinary unit, we weave together specialties and skills to address complex problems.
Research areas include: environmental humanities, community engagement, climate, energy, water, waste, urbanization, food, biodiversity, storytelling, ecopoetics, conservation and natural resource management, coupled human-natural systems, technology, media + film, and culture, pollution, and collaborative, student-centered pedagogy! Read our profiles to learn more.
Collaboration and Engagement
SEaS faculty prioritize respectful and meaningful collaboration with peers, students, and the public in all that they do. We are committed to working with different sectors in the Greater Cincinnati Area and beyond to foster partnerships and develop locally-driven research that makes an impact.
Featured Events, Symposiums, and Conferences
Ohio Valley Climate Change and Health Conference
August 6 & 7, 2025
Experience a two-day immersive, collaborative conference bringing together Earth and health scientists across Ohio River Valley region at University of Cincinnati. For more information, please go to the conference website.
Registration is now open! We encourage all scientists and students working on climate and health research to join us!
For questions, please contact Amy Townsend-Small amy.townsend-small@uc.edu
Undergraduate Student Research
Dr. Amy Townsend-Small and Sacha Brewer (EVST-BS 2024) presented their research on Cincinnati gas streetlights at the Midwest Regional Climate Summit. Sacha served as Dr. Townsend-Small's research assistant, helping measure methane emissions from the lights.
Research is built into the Environmental Studies curriculum. Students can select from a wide range of experiences to conduct research, during their capstone projects, co-ops, internships, in advanced courses, or in partnership with research faculty.
For example, in Spring 2024, students undertook community engaged service-learning projects with the City of Cincinnati Office of Environment and Sustainability.
Each year, students celebrate and present their work at the UC Undergraduate Scholarly Showcase or at the Midwest Regional Climate Summit. For a full list of research opportunities, please please check out our Undergraduate Research Page.